FOUR CONDITIONS FOR PRACTICING CH'AN

To investigate the ultimate Ch'an, you should fulfill four conditions. If these conditions are met, it is possible to realize the highest aims of Ch'an. Short of this, your path is uncertain, and progress is difficult. But these conditions must come spontaneously out of your pratice. Certainly a master can't force them on you or even give them to you. Arising from within, they can be fulfilled more quickly. A master can only lead a disciple onto the Path. The disciple must follow the Path himself. I can only tell you what these requirements are and why they are necessary. The rest is up to you.

When you enter the Path, if you are full of zeal, these conditions arise very naturally. But don't expect them all at once. You must frist begin to practice. As you make progress, they will gradually, or in some cases, quickly, be fulfilled. Much depends on your causes and conditions. Therefore at the beginning of a retreat I do not mention these requirements. I will only talk about them when I see that people are physically and mentally ready to investigate Ch'an.